Fitch May be Good, but GSP is Better

The most anticipated welterweight showdown of the year is set to take place tomorrow at UFC 87. Reining champion Georges St-Pierre will be defending his belt against red hot Jon Fitch. Many feel that Fitch is the best that the deep 170-pound division has to offer against St-Pierre, however others feel that he is no better than a poor man’s GSP.

“Jon Fitch is very good, he’s very strong, he’s very big for a welterweight,” St-Pierre said of his opponent. “He’s been able to dominate every single one of his opponents. He’s the man right now. “

By no means are people detracting from what Fitch has been able to accomplish in his MMA career. He has had to scrap and claw for everything that he has. Perhaps, that is why nobody is denying that he should have had the first crack at GSP after he won his title, including St-Pierre.

“He’s hungry, he’s on the way up, so I’m glad the UFC gave him what he deserves,” said the champion.

However, no matter what Fitch has accomplished and who he has beaten during his current 15-fight winning streak, St-Pierre knows that on paper he is the better fighter in all phases.

“I truly believe I am stronger, more skilled and I got more tools and more knowledge than him,” stated the confident St-Pierre. “I think I am a better overall fighter and I am better than he is in every single aspect of the game. “

There is no doubt that St-Pierre is the more skilled stand-up fighter, and more likely is the better wrestler, even though Fitch was an All-American at Purdue University. The always secretive champion didn’t want to go into specifics in regards to how he intends to attack the challenger, however he felt strongly that he would have an answer for whatever problem Fitch would try to present to him.

“Every fight is different, every person has a different style,” said GSP. “Every opponent has a different problem to bring to the table, but I believe that I have the solution.”

This will be St-Pierre’s first title defense, for the second time. He lost his initial title defense last year to Matt Serra, in what is known as the biggest upset in 2007. The champion has stated time and again that he has learned from his past mistakes, and this time is ready to hold onto the title for an extended period.

“I’m ready to go. I go step by step,” he said. “I don’t look past Jon Fitch I don’t want to make the same mistake that I did before. But right now Jon Fitch is a problem, and I am going to solve it.”

At the end of the day, the better fighter will walk away as the champion, and frankly, there is no way that St-Pierre sees himself leaving the Octagon without the belt.

“At the end of the fight, I expect to have my hand raised. I expect to fight (a five round) war,” he proclaimed.